Writing a series; Ten years in the making.

FICTION/ROMANCE/GAY/EROTICA

Writing a series; Ten years in the making.

The first novel I ever wrote, back in 1990, had three main characters in it, Jack Larsen, Sharon Tice, and Mark Antonious Richfield. This was before I was able to publish my work, and before I even considered publishing it.

This first attempt at a novel was a massive thousand page creation that was never going to see the light of day. But back then, I did find these characters interesting. The first version of this novel was a love triangle between the three main players.

Later on in my career, the same three characters showed up in my published work; Mark & Sharon and Capital Games. Acting Naughty, which is the first Action! Series book, didn’t have Mark or the other two in it. But, Mark quickly made his way into the story by the second book, Playing Dirty.

Still, it wasn’t a ‘series’. Maybe it was one follow-up novel? The thought of documenting the sex-ploits of a group of people for a decade never occurred to me. I tried to ‘wrap up’ an ending several times with them.

In my mind, I figured, okay, this will be the last. But, between my own desires and my fans’ emails to keep it going, I did.

I found between writing single titles, I came back to Mark, Jack, and Sharon, adding of course other familiar actors from my world, Steve, Adam, Billy…names well known to my Action! Series fans.

When I thought of making a full length feature film, once more, it had to be Capital Games. Had to be when Mark and Steve met. So, Capital Games has now become a pilot episode for the series. So, an easy way for fans who have not read the series, they can watch the film and dive in right after seeing it. (Capital Games is available on Amazon Prime, Vimeo, and many other platforms)

https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Gregor-Cosgrove-Keough-Presnall/dp/B00GSA3K6C#

The series.

Now over forty books, with five or more satellite stories. For new fans it’s daunting. How on earth does someone dive into a series like this? I created three box sets to help; books 1-10 are discounted, as well as the prequels to help new readers out.

Many authors write series books. They find fan favorites and either continue their tale or do spinoffs. It’s not that unique.

What I am finding is unique, is the length of the tale. This isn’t a series about a detective who solves a different crime in each novel. This is one story. One continuous story told through a decade of their, and my, life. I find when I am in a good space, so are they. When I falter, they fail with me.

I used to come back to this series between single titles, because the characters write their own story. They are so fleshed out, I know everything about each unique man; Mark, the gorgeous model who can’t get out of his own way. Steve, the former cop, who is the steadfast pillar Mark clings to. Alexander, Mark’s son, who is impossible to deal with…on and on.

This story has covered ten years of these men’s lives. A decade of their foibles and fantasies.

With each new episode, which I write like a TV show, with cliffhangers and intrigue, I find I am not at a loss for words, but the opposite. The way these books are setup, is scenes for a TV show. Although this is not written in script form, it is written cinematically. Each chapter switches to a different sub-storyline, creating a TV show feel. The books are consistent that way, and the tale of each character is simple to follow. I also have enough background information in each episode, that you can get a ‘previously on’ the show sort of feel. There’s no way you won’t figure it out in one chapter. Keeping the balance between giving new readers information and not boring seasoned vets is a tight line, but I hope I am walking it.

It’s truly a tale I feel I am simply documenting.

An example of this? In one of the most recent novels, I fully expected the character to give birth to a girl. A daughter. I even went so far as to name the book Finding Hope, Hope, being the baby’s name.

But, as I wrote it, I had created a boy baby. All the foreshadowing in dreams of a daughter, didn’t happen. I am at a loss as to why. It was there in the ether. But, my characters had other plans. They want what they want.

I know. A little scary? Like Frankenstein creating the creator.

I can only do as they like, since if I try to deviate from their story, they certainly steer me back to their direction.

Forty books, one continuous saga. I only know of soap operas that are similarly plotted. I know of no other author who has done this, although I am sure there are some. When will this end? How will this end?

My guess is, it won’t. Not as long as I’m in love with the series. Perhaps it’s not as popular as some of my other single titles, maybe not sitting in the number one spot for long, but, I don’t mind. I am thrilled for the fans that have kept up with me. Like I have said, this isn’t a book series any longer, it’s a TV series, one that has become beloved by the faithful few. They feel as if these men are family members. Well? They have known them for ten years, so I believe that too.

For as long as I can, I will continue this path. How many books can a series have? I guess I’m going to find out.

So far, forty-four (with three still to be published) written and counting.

Happy reading!

G.A. has penned over 180 novels and short stories. She is the executive producer for her first feature film, CAPITAL GAMES and is the director and executive producer for her second film NAKED DRAGON.

 http://www.authorgahauser.com/about/